Trump, Women and Violence

This evening, in a moment of total distraction I badly burned the tips of my fingers on my right hand.

I even heard them sizzle. I kid you not.

(Short bit of writing today: Typing. Seriously. Hurts.)

Many people have been asking me how to empathize with and re-humanize Donald Trump. His words, actions, beliefs and behaviors leave me feeling chillingly unsettled.

I feel scared and very vulnerable.

In response to so many questions about nonviolent responses to Donald Trump, I am going to point you all toMiki Kashtan's blog article addressing this very issue...

Below are a few key quotes from her very well-written article:

Beyond Us vs. Them:

In response to the intensity of hatred and separation that I see coming from Trump and his supporters, I want to find a way to meet them in an entirely different way. A beloved poem comes to mind:

He drew a circle that shut me out - Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But Love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle that took him in!

“Outwitted” by Edwin Markham

Taking a Stand, Nonviolently:

If Trump indeed becomes the next US president, I want to be part of a force that moves towards change with the supreme courage to stand up for the truth we see with utmost love for all. This is such a difficult line to walk that I don’t even trust I know how to convey it in full.

I am speaking of challenging his views, policies, actions, ways of speaking, and the regime he would no doubt try to create – without making him or his supporters the enemy.

I am speaking of being ready to take action, to stand up for what we fervently want and believe in, to take that strong of a stance – without vilifying anyone.

In this same vein ... I also want to resurrectthis awesome video addressing Violence against Women. Jackson Katz makes excellent, inspiring and practical points, and is the kind of strong, healthy male voice that I am looking for to counterbalance the frightening rhetoric I am hearing on a daily basis.

Relationships are the foundation of well-being. Join me in bringing more empathy, acceptance, and service into the world. What one step can you take this week, that moves you closer to living the life you are truly longing for? What one step?